A man accused of using a pellet gun to shoot a New York City officer assigned to guard the mayor has been arraigned on assault,reckless endangerment and other charges.
Police say 19-year-mature Michael Verbitsky was arrested Monday for the Sunday night shooting outside Gracie Mansion, where the mayor and his family live. The officer was struck in the back with a pellet and suffered minor injuries.
Verbitsky has been released on $10000 bail. His lawyer calls the shooting accidental.
Mayor Bill de Blasio wasn't domestic at the time of the shooting. He says he has "tremendous faith" in the New York Police Department.
Police say Verbitsky has previous arrests for robbery and graffiti. Investigators believe he also used the pellet gun to atomize windows in the same neighborhood earlier this summer.
Source: wnyc.org